History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 52

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois > Part 52

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and although in her 81st year, is still energetic and in the enjoyment of good health. The deceased children of MIr. and Mrs. McDow are-Allen, born Feb. 17, 1837, died Aug. 15, 1871; and Mary Angeline, born Jan. 23, 1840, died Mar. 1,1844.

John N. MeDow, a descendant of one of our oldest settlers, was born in Mis- sissippi township, Jersey county, Ill. His life has been spent thus far on and near the same section where he now lives, being born at their house on sec- tion 31, and now living on section 32. His farm lies on three sections, 20 acres being on section 30, 50 acres on section 31, and 20 acres on section 32. On the 9th of Sept., 1858, he was united in marriage with May E. Harris. They have a family of 10 children-Elzada Jane, Charles W., Anna A., Mattie M., Lou M., Robert A., Ruth C., Eugene L. and Irene (twins), and Homer.

James McDow was born in Jersey county, Ill., Oct. 11, in the year 1844. He is another representative of that family of early settlers, and was born and raised on the place where he now lives, on section 32 in Mississippi township. He was united in marriage with Anna Summer on the 17th day of Oct., in the year 1866. She was born on the 9th day of Nov., in the year 1847. Seven children have been born to them-William L., born Aug. 16, 1867; Purlia O., born Sept. 19, 1869; Oliver P., born Oct. 17, 1871; James W., born Aug. 21, 1873; Harry W., born June 4, 1877; Edith M., born Sept. 12, 1882; Lulu B., born June 7, 1885. Mr. McDow's political views are democratic.

Jacob Cummings was among the pioneers of this township. He was a

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

native of - Madison county, Ill., from which place he immigrated to this town- ship in the early part of 1820. He lo- cated on section 15, where he lived un- til his death, which occurred in 1825.

Asher Chase came to this county in 1823, and liking the country, took up his residence here on a farm on what is known as the Lofton prairie. He lived there a few years, and removed to an- other location in the same township. He afterward left the county, and has not been heard of since.

William Gillham, father of John D., came in the fall of 1821, and took up his place of residence on section 29, on the farm now owned by Mahala Buckles. He was a native of South Carolina. His death occurred at the home of his son in the fall of 1825.

Mrs. Jane Gillham, with a family of children, settled on section 28, in the fall of 1823, where she resided until her death. She was a native of North Car- olina.

·William G. Waddle made a settle- ment in what is now Mississippi town- ship during the year 1823. He was a native of South Carolina, but was brought by his parents to Edwardsville, Madison county, Ill., when but two years of age, in 1803. William came to this county as above mentioned, and settled upon section 33, where he lived some 20 years, when he removed to Jersey township. He died on the 11th of April, 1871.

In the fall of 1823, a man by the name of John Findley camc, locating on sec- tion 22, on the farm now owned by Hiram Mccluskey. He came from North Carolina, but only remained about a

year, when he sold the place to Henry Utt and moved away.

Joseph White, a blacksmith, came in the spring of 1824, settling on the north- east quarter of section 30, where he started a blacksmith shop, which was the first in the township and county, and which was operated at this point for over 40 years. He afterward re- moved to near the line of Jersey and Greene counties, near Kane, where he subsequently died.

In the fall of 1824 Orman Beeman settled on Sec. 30, where he afterward married a daughter of Joseph White. He was a native of South Carolina, and lived in Madison county for several years prior to coming here, and was a volunteer in the United States service against the aborigines. He lived here until his death.

Nathaniel Carrico located in this town- ship, on coming to this county in 1831. The same fall he entered some land in what is now Otter Creek township, where he lived some time, but moved to Greene county afterwards, where he died.

John Ryan located in Mississippi township, about five miles southeast of Jerseyville, in the fall of 1825. He afterwards removed to Greene county, and from there to Ruyle township, where his sons, Henry and Richardson, now reside. He was a native of Chester county, Penn. He was married at Zanes- ville, O., soon after the close of the war of 1812-15. He died Jan. 27, 1865.

Francis Swan, a native of North Car- olina. emigrated, in 1809, from Ken- tucky, and settled in St. Clair county, Ill. He was one of the rangers and re- sided in that county until 1823, when he removed to Greene county, near Car-

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

rollton. In 1826, he came to Jersey county, locating in this township, which he made his residence until he died, in 1850. He was married in 1809, and was the father of nine children, five of whom are living-James G., Mary, John P., Elizabeth, Sophronia.

A. Carson and J. J. Basey made set- tlements in this locality as early as 1826-27, but are long since gone to their grave. But little respecting these pioneers could be gathered, except the fact of their settlement.

Charles Dodson made a settlement upon the Addison Greene place on sec- tion 31, in 1828. He married a daughter of Judge Lofton.

Rev. George Slaten came to this county and township in the fall of 1828, and settled upon section 31. He was a native of North Carolina, but had moved from there to her sister state of South Carolina, where he was united in mar- riage with Lucinda (Brogden) Slaten, in the year 1800. Soon after this they removed to Georgia, where they con- tinued to reside until 1818, when they came to Illinois and located in St. Clair county. In 1822, they removed to the vicinity of Carrollton, Greene county, and after a residence of six years in that place, came to this county as above stated. Rev. George Slaten was an ac- tive and efficient minister of the M. E. church. He died Aug. 6, 1844, his wife surviving him until Jan. 23, 1866.

Bartholomew Chappell, a native of Devonshire, Eng., came to the United States in 1832, landing at New York, from thenee came to Ohio, and then to Upper Alton, remaining in each place but a short time, when he came to Jer- sey county, and located in this town-

ship. Here he resided for many years, until his death. His children occupy the homestead, and other land in the township.

Ephraim Chappell, one of the well- to-do residents of this township, was

n in Devonshire, Eng., Feb. 8, 1827. He came to America in 1833, landing in New York. He came westward as far as Ohio, where he staid only a few weeks. He removed to Alton, 111., for a short time, and from there came to Mississippi township, Jersey county, where he located on a farm, and re- mained until 1857, when he went to Macoupin county, where he farmed 10 years. In 1867 he came back to Jersey county, and settled on the place now occupied by him. It contains 512} acres of land, all under cultivation ex- cept 50 acres in timber, a fine orchard, and pasture for his stock, of which he has 14 head of horses, 30 head of cattle, and a fine lot of stock hogs. He has three good barns, worth $5,000, all in good repair, a wind pump in the stock yard, and everything necessary to make farm life comfortable. His dwelling is a story and a half frame house, 30x60, worth $1,500. Mr. Chappell was married to Nancy Buckles, June 16, 1857. Three children were born to this union-Ida O., wife of Richard Graham, living in this township; John F., and Lula, who died Aug. 15, 1865. His wife died Nov. 5, 1864. On the 24th of Jan- uary, 1869, he was again married to Rosanah Briggs. Two children were born to them-Rosanah G., died Aug. 30, 1872, and Cora, died Oct. 13, 1875. On the 18th of May, 1872, he was again left a widower by the death of his sec- ond wife. In Dec., 1872, he was mar-

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

ried to Maggie H. Delby, and to this union were born three children-Effie, Ephraim and Octavia.

W. H. Chappell resides upon a farm, located on the north half of the north- east quarter of section 25, Mississippi township. He was born in Piasa town- ship, Jersey county, Ill., Nov. 14, 1842, being a son of William Chappell, a na- tive of England. His mother is also a native of that country. Both are now living in Piasa township. The subject of this sketch was married, Nov. 9, 1864, to E. A. Bell, daughter of Rev. D. R. and Jane (Morrow) Bell, the for- mer a native of Tennessee, and the latter of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are now living in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Mrs. Chappell was born Dec. 3, 1845. They have had nine children born to them, four of whom are now living-More E., George E., John E., and Clarence C. Five chil- dren died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Chappell are members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F.

During the years 1832 and 1833, sev- eral more individuals made settlements within the limits of this township, prom- inent among whom were the following named: Francis G. Swan, Sally A. Reynolds, Richard HI. McGill, Adam Waggoner, Joab White, William David- son, Levi Smith and Moses Cockrell.

Joab White was a native of North Carolina.

F. G. Swan was born in the state of North Carolina, and came to Illinois in 1809, locating in St. Clair county. Dur- ing the Indian troubles of 1812-15, he was a member of the rangers. He re-

moved to Greene Co. in 1823, and later came to this county. He died in 1850.

Adam Waggoner was a native of Vir- ginia, but when young was removed to Kentucky, from which state he came here. Ile is now dead.

Moses Cockrell was born in Scott county, O., in 1806, and came to this state in 1833, settling on section 28, where he lived until his death, in April, 1882.

Jacob Utt located in this township in 1833, and the following year entered his land. He was a Pennsylvanian, and like most people from that state, an ex- cellent farmer. In 1857, he sold out and removed to the vicinity of Virden, Macoupin county, where he died in 1869.

A great many other settlers of the squatter type settled in this township before this time, but their stay was short and their names have entirely escaped the memory of the older settlers.

OTHER PROMINENT CITIZENS.

Nelson Marion Lurton was born at Newbern, Jersey county, Jan. 9, 1830, and is to-day the oldest living resident born in Mississippi township. Being one of the children of an early settler, in his youth his school facilities were very limited, many of the teachers be- ing but partially educated themselves, below those now holding second grade certificates. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, however, many of the chil- dren of those days received very good education, some graduating at leading colleges, and afterwards filling many important positions. Nelson was given all the advantage that could be had at that early day, of which he availed him- self to a great degree. In 1850, being seized with the prevailing "gold-fever"

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

he went to California, and while there cast his first vote, which was at the first election for state officers in that state. Remaining in that part of the country for some time, hé removed to the land of his nativity, by way of South America. On the 13th of Jan., 1853, he was united in marriage with Emma, daughter of James and Ama Slo- man, a native of Devonshire, Eng., born March 4, 1833. By this union there has been five children-Henry Camp- bell, born Oct. 29, 1853; Magnolia Bell, born April 10, 1857, wife of John H. Darlington ; M. Lu, born Dec. 27, 1860; Eva Minerva, born Feb. 3, 1866; and Marion Nelson, born Dec. 29, 1871. On his marriage Mr. Lurton settled upon a farm, which he broke out of the vir- gin soil, where he has lived ever since. He joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church in 1856, and was elected ruling elder and clerk on the organization of the church in his vicinity in 1857, and he has acted in that capacity ever since. Politically he has always been a demo- erat with liberal views. In 1882, he was elected a member of the board of supervisors, and served one year.

George H. VanHorne, a prominent farmer of this township, was born and raised here. The date of his birth is Nov. 20, 1848. He was married to Mary A. Jones, a native of New York, on the 6th day of Oct., 1875. She was the daughter of Alva and Amelia Jones. Only one child was born to them -- Fanny A., born Aug. 21, 1876, died Aug. 15, 1877. Mrs. VanHorne died Jan. 25, 1877. On the 15th day of Nov., 1881, he was again married to Mary I. Cummings. They have had two chil- dren-Sarah N., born Dec. 11, 1882,

died November 18, 1883; Columbus C., born April 18, 1884. The residence is a two and a half story brick, 24x34, costing $3,000. The barn is a frame building, 36x40, costing $1,000. A wind pump is used in obtaining the water. There are 193 acres of land in the farm, on which is a young apple orchard of 150 trees. The C. & A. R. R. runs through the place and there is a ceme- tery located on the farm. Mr. Van- HIorne seems to be much thought of in that township, as he has been elected to the office of town clerk four terms, and is now supervisor and also school director in district No. 1. Ile belongs to No. 659 of the I. O. O. F., of Delhi, and is also a member of Jerseyville en- campment. Politically he is a demo- crat.

John Buckles, a prosperous and thriv- ing farmer of this township, was born in Scioto county, Ohio, on the 6th day of April, in the year 1833. In the year 1835 he came with his parents, John and Nancy (Clark) Buckles, to Mississippi township, Jersey county, Ill. On the 27th of Oct., 1859, he was united in mar- riage to Mahala Chappell, daughter of Bart. and Grace Chappell. By this union there were six children-Effie L., born Aug. 9, 1860, married Rev. W. C. Logan, and lives at Alton; Mary Grace, born on the Sth of Nov., 1862, is the wife of Edward E. Reed, and lives in Burdenville, Kan .; James T., born Oct. 30, 1864; Charles W., born May 3, 1868; John E., born Dec. 10, 1870; Richard R., born April 6, 1873. He has 160 acres of land, located as follows: On the north- west quarter of the southwest quarter of section 29, the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

quarter of the southwest quarter of sec- tion 28, in this township. His residence is a frame building, two stories high, the main part 28x40, the L 16x18, cost- ing $4,000. He has two barns, one 50x32, costing $800, the other 30x40 feet, costing $500; a buggy-house and shop, worth $400, and a smoke-house and milk- house worth $200. There is a good apple orchard, with a variety of other fruit, such as pears, plums and cherries. The farm and its surroundings show that much care and attention has been devoted by Mr. Buckles to its improve- ment. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He belongs to Otterville Lodge, No. 563, A. F. and A. M., and to the Royal Arch Chapter at Jerseyville.

Rice T. Jones is a native of England, having been born in Picadilly. Queen's Square, London, on St. Thomas day, Nov. 21, 1835. In 1860 he came to America, and came as far west as Bright- on, Macoupin county, Ill., where he worked by the month for five years. In 1865 he moved to Jersey county, where he bought 80 acres on section 11, and 20 acres on section 23, both in Mississippi township. He lived on the 80 for 10 years, and then bought 80 more on sec- tion 11, and 10 on section 12. On his farm is a two-story frame dwelling, about 18x40, costing $3,000; a good granary; sheds for buggy, wagon and farming implements, a stable and corn cribs. There are three wells of good water on the place, and this with such improve- ments as we have have described make it a very desirable farm. Mr. Jones was married to Emeline Handsaker, on the 26th of April, 1863. She is the daugh . ter of William and Mary A. (Spears)

Handsaker, and was born Jan. 29, 1845. Her parents are of English origin, and his are natives of Southern Wales. There are four children-John W., born Feb. 6, 1864, died in infancy; Luc A., born Feb. 6, 1865; George E., born May 17, 1867; and Harry A., born Jan. 31, 1874. Mr. Jones held the office of supervisor one year. Most of his time is taken up in the care and improvement of his land, and by his industry and perseverance, he now has a well im- proved farm.

Lewis Randolph was born in Bernards township, Somerset county, N. J., on the 13th of Dec., 1808 He was the second son of Peter and Harriet Ran- dolph. Mr. Randolph was a blacksmith by trade, making it his business in a country place, having a small farm where he resided, and which he man- aged, in connection with his trade, doing country blacksmithing, and making augurs until that business failed. Lewis worked on the farm or in the shop as his help was mostly needed, until the spring of 1828, when on the 24th of May, he was married to Mary Ann Compton, daughter of Moore and Mary (Anderson) Compton, and who was born March 28, 1810. In the spring of 1829, he moved on a farm bought by his father, where he resided until 1837, living as one un- broken family, but always having a de- sire to see the far west. Fully making up his mind, about the first of Sept., to go west, sold the farm, and on the 10th of Oct., 1837, with his wife and three children, and Miss Eliza Jane Compton, sister of his wife, and now Mrs. J. K. Stelle, living near Jerseyville, also Bry- ant Cross, Jacob K. Stelle, Isaac Goltra, now Dr. Goltra, of Springfield, Ill.,

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Stephen Sutton and James T. Harris, started on the long journey, traveling in wagons. Having good roads and fine weather, their new mode of living seem- ed pleasant, as they always camped out wherever night overtook them, until they had performed the largest part of their journey. But in passing through a part of Ohio, Indiana and the eastern part of Illinois, they had to travel over a new-cut road, stumps, in the timber and mud on the prairies. They took it patiently, as they were doing as well as others, they being pretty thickly scat- tered along the route, going both ways to and from the country. On the 21st of November they landed in Jackson- ville, on a most disagreeable and rainy day, perfectly satisfied to unload and go to housekeeping for a while, and also giving themselves a chance of find- ing a place to make a home. Mr. Ran- dolph selected the place where he now resides, on the part of the 13th section of township 7, range 11, then a part of Greene county; but, by an aet of the leg- islature, in 1839, it was divided and the southern part was called Jersey county. Here he arrived on the 21st of April, 1838, after a three day's travel from Jacksonville, on the state road leading from Jacksonville to St. Louis. His family increased to eight children, seven of whom lived to be men and women. One died in infancy. Elmira, born July 1, 1829, became the wife of John Williams, in the fall of 1847, and died July 5, 1852, leaving two sons, Joel C. and Lewis R. Williams, now living in Nebraska; Abel S., born Aug. 5, 1831, married Minerva Edwards June 9, 1869, has one son and now lives in Montgomery county, Ill .; Moore C.

Randolph, born Dec. 9, 1834, married Eleanor McDow April 7, 1858, and died July 4, 1858; Harriet, born Feb. 3, 1842, married S. T. Moore, May 16,1861, have five children, two girls and three boys-Josie, Edward, Frank, Nellie and Lewis R., living at Brighton; Ruth W., born Nov. 9, 1844, unmarried; Cath- arine A., born Sept. 19, 1847, married Jan. 19, 1871, to James HI. Clapp, have two daughters, Carrie and Hattie, living at Blue Springs, Neb; Peter J. Randolph, born Feb. 11, 1850, married Oct. 21, 1872, to Clara Gelder, living at Morris- onville, Christian county, Ill. Mr. Ran- dolph has held the office of school treas- urer, in that township, two terms; has been a director in the Farmer's Insur- ance Company since its organization, and has also been a trustee in the Bap- tist church, of Jerseyville, for the past 20 years.

Thomas C. Carrico (deceased) was born within the present limits of Jer- sey county, 111., Dec. 21, 1825. Aug. 19, 1847, he was married by Rev. B. Stafford, to Mary Beeman, daughter of Omer and Talitha (White) Beeman, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of South Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Carrico had five children born to them-Leander C., born Oct. 10, 1848, now living at Elsah; Francis J., born June 15, 1850, and died Aug. 15, 1851, Amy T., born Aug. 8, 1852, now the wife of Sylvester Hamilton, of Otter- ville; Mary J., born April 14, 1854, now the widow of Joseph Rutherford, living in the Indian Nation, and Luther M., born March 11, 1857, and died on the 23d day of the same month. Mr. Carrieo enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in com- pany G, of the 122d Ill. Inf., commanded

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

by Capt. Cowen, and was taken sick and died in the hospital at Corinth, Miss., March 14, 1863. He was much esteemed in the community where he lived. He was a republican in politics, an earnest advocate of the cause of temperance, and a consistent christian, holding connection with the Baptist church at Virden, Ill.

Jan. 15, 1871, Mrs. Carrico was mar- ried to Daniel Bettis, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, April 27, 1829. Mr. Bettis had been previously married to Martha Vanausdall, June 10, 1853, and by his first marriage had five chil- dren-Margaret P., born July 4, 1854, now the wife of John Barnard, of Peo- ria, Ill .; Rachel M., born July 3, 1856, and died in 1857; Amelia A., born July 30, 1858, now the wife of Henry Roth- wilder of Carlinville, Ill .; Martha A., born Dec. 5, 1860, wife of M. Miller, of Jerseyville, Ill., and Daniel W., born Oct. 20, 1862, now living in Win- chester, Ill. Mr. Bettis enlisted in the 130th Ill. Inf., serving in that regiment until it was consolidated with the 77th . regiment. He continued in the service till Aug. 22, 1865, when he was mustered out at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Ill. Ife participated in all the engagements of his regiment, never receiving even a scratch. Mr. and Mrs. Bettis own 80 acres of land on section 19, Mississippi township, also 120 acres in Cherokee county, Kan., and a residence and two acres of land in the village of Otterville. Mr. Bettis is a member of the G. A. R., and a staunch friend of the temperance cause. He is, in politics, a republican.

Deacon Jacob K. Stelle was a native of Somerset county, N. J., and was born on the 2d of Sept., 1816. His father

was a native of Middlesex county, N. J. His ancestral descent is French and Scotch. Mr. Stelle was united in mar- riage with Anna Kirkpatrick, and they had a family of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second. Mr. Stelle's occupation was that of a farmer. In April, 1850, while on a visit to his son Jacob, in Jersey county, he was taken sick, and four days after his arrival, died, and was buried in Van Horn burying ground near Delhi, His widow survived him until 1870. Jacob K. Stelle received his early edu- cation in the schools of his native state, working on his father's farm, and at- tending school alternately, until the age of 14, when he went to Morristown and became a clerk in a dry goods store, in which capacity he remained five years, at the end of which time he be- came a partner of his former employer, Wm. M. Lindsley. He continued with him until Oct. 10, 1837, when, with a party of 11 others, he left New Jersey, with wagon and teams, his destination being Illinois. They arrived at Jack- sonville, Nov. 21. After looking over different portions of the state, Mr. Stelle located on a farm in what is now Jersey county, in February of 1838. The land was in township 7, range 11, and had never been improved. Being unused to pioneer life, the labor and hardships were more than he could at first endure, but he finally became ac- customed to it and during the second year after his arrival raised a crop. He was married Nov. 15, 1838, to Eliza Jane Compton, formerly of New Jersey, and one of the party who accompanied them on their trip. His parents were Moore and Mary Compton, Mr. and Mrs.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Stelle were married in a log house then occupied by his brother-in-law. A family of six children were born to them, four of whom are yet living. Mr. Stelle had but a small capital when he came here, carrying on the farm with only one ox; but with energy and per- severance he was enabled to acquire enough to be considered among the wealthy farmers of this county. In 1870 he retired from farm life and moved to his suburban residence south of Jerseyville. In 1841 he became a member of the Baptist church in Jer- seyville, his wife having joined the same denomination in New Jersey. In 1848 Mr. Steele was elected deacon of the church in Jerseyville, which re- sponsible position he held until his death. He was also treasurer of the Carrollton Baptist Association for eight years. All of his children are members of the same church. He labored for many years to sustain a Sabbath school at Delhi, and after moving near town, taught a bible class in Jerseyville as long as his health permitted. From his earliest connection with the church his piety was of the purest type. He was always earnest, consistent, devoted and spiritual. Ilis judgments were clear, discriminating and reliable. Ilis support of the church and its pastor uniform and unwavering. His friend- ships were reserved, but confiding and true. His benevolence was large, act- ive and scriptural. Ilis kindness to the poor and the unfortunate was ever at- tested by earnest efforts to alleviate. His business capacity was superior, his integrity unimpeachable, his moral life above suspicion, his domestic life characterized by love and kindness,

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History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 52

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150